NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
14 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jul 4, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
THIS VEHICLE (AND MANY OTHER SOLARA'S) SEEMS TO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE ACCELERATION. AT TIMES, THE CAR ACCELERATES A LITTLE BIT BY ITSELF. IT HAS NEVER CAUSED ME TO CRASH OR ANYTHING MAJOR, BUT I'VE HAD TO HIT THE BRAKES REAL HARD BECAUSE ITS TAKEN ME BY SURPRISE. THIS MAINLY HAPPENS WHEN I'M NOT MOVING, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN I'M WAIT…
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THIS VEHICLE (AND MANY OTHER SOLARA'S) SEEMS TO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE ACCELERATION. AT TIMES, THE CAR ACCELERATES A LITTLE BIT BY ITSELF. IT HAS NEVER CAUSED ME TO CRASH OR ANYTHING MAJOR, BUT I'VE HAD TO HIT THE BRAKES REAL HARD BECAUSE ITS TAKEN ME BY SURPRISE. THIS MAINLY HAPPENS WHEN I'M NOT MOVING, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN I'M WAITING AT A RED LIGHT. THE CAR MAKES NOISES THAT TECHNICIANS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE. I AM THE THIRD OWNER OF THIS 2002 TOYOTA SOLARA AND I HAVE A REPORT FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER DATING BACK TO 2002. THIS OWNER DESCRIBES WEIRD NOISES COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE BUT THAT TOYOTA WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. AS IT SEEMS, THIS CAR HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH UNEXPLAINABLE NOISES SINCE ITS DAY OF MANUFACTURE. I'VE BEEN REPLACING MANY THINGS ON THE CAR THINKING BECAUSE OF AGE IT IS MAKING SUCH NOISES, BUT NOISES PERSIST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10608202
82,600 miles · Jun 8, 2011
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AND A SUDDEN UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AFTER REPEATEDLY APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL AS A RESULT TO CRASHING INTO A BUILDING. THERE WAS NO PERSON…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AND A SUDDEN UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AFTER REPEATEDLY APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL AS A RESULT TO CRASHING INTO A BUILDING. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE AND TAKEN TO AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR BODY DAMAGE AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,600.
NHTSA ODI #10405548
65,000 miles · Jun 27, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
I WAS DRIVING MY TOYOTA 2002 SOLARA INTO THE PARKING LOT ON 6-27-10 TO THE POST OFFICE. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT ALONG SIDE OF THE POST OFFICE BUILDING, WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE ACCELERATION STARTED TO INCREASE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR JUMPED THE PARKING STOP AND THEN THE SIDE WA…
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I WAS DRIVING MY TOYOTA 2002 SOLARA INTO THE PARKING LOT ON 6-27-10 TO THE POST OFFICE. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT ALONG SIDE OF THE POST OFFICE BUILDING, WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE ACCELERATION STARTED TO INCREASE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR JUMPED THE PARKING STOP AND THEN THE SIDE WALK INTO THE WALL OF THE BUILDING. THE TWO AIR BAGS EXPLODED, THEN TRYING TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK THE CAR WENT INTO REVERSE BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT. THEN FINALLY THE CAR WAS IN PARK AND IGNITION WAS SHUT OFF. I CALLED 911 AND THEN WENT THE HOSPITAL FOR X-RAYS. THIS IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THESE CARS AND THE FLOORMAT DIDN'T GET STUCK ON THE GAS PEDAL. IS THIS A PROBLEMATIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM WITH TOYOTA CARS? IS THERE A WAY TO FIND OUT WHAT CAUSE THIS PROBLEM? IS THERE ANY COMPUTER IN THE CAR THAT WILL STORE THIS INFORMATION WHAT HAPPEN? I'M AM SO SHOOK UP THAT I DON'T THINK I CAN EVER DRIVE ANOTHER VEHICLE AGAIN. PLEASE KEEP ME INFORMED WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT THIS AND WHO DO I CAN SUE WHAT HAPPEN TO ME. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10340300
30,100 miles · Mar 11, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. AFTER SHIFTING INTO REVERSE IN AN ATTEMPT TO BACK INTO HER DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARD AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. SHE THEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. AFTER SHIFTING INTO REVERSE IN AN ATTEMPT TO BACK INTO HER DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARD AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. SHE THEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. AFTER SHIFTING THE VEHICLE BACK INTO DRIVE, AND REMOVING HER FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AGAIN. SHE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE A SECOND TIME AND AGAIN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. SHE WAS ABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE SUCCESSFULLY AND SHE IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO BE DIAGNOSED AND ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE A RESULT OF DRIVER ERROR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND SHE WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,100.
NHTSA ODI #10318835
59,000 miles · Feb 5, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
MY TOYOTA SOLARA, CRASHED AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. AAA INSURANCE PAID,BUT I DIDN'T AGREE TO SETTLEMENT BECAUSE I THINK THE CAUSE WAS FAILURE OF ACCELERATOR, AS BRAKING DID NOT STOP THE CAR -- GAS PEDAL DID NOT RELEASE. CAR REAR ENDED CAR AHEAD WHICH STOPPED AS ANOTHER CAR STOPPED SHORT AHEAD OF HIM. I HAD TIME TO STOP BUT WA…
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MY TOYOTA SOLARA, CRASHED AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. AAA INSURANCE PAID,BUT I DIDN'T AGREE TO SETTLEMENT BECAUSE I THINK THE CAUSE WAS FAILURE OF ACCELERATOR, AS BRAKING DID NOT STOP THE CAR -- GAS PEDAL DID NOT RELEASE. CAR REAR ENDED CAR AHEAD WHICH STOPPED AS ANOTHER CAR STOPPED SHORT AHEAD OF HIM. I HAD TIME TO STOP BUT WAS UNABLE TO. I REPORTED THIS TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10306767
106,000 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed ControlCrash
I HAVE A TOYOTA SOLARA 2002, AND SINCE I OWNED IT BACK IN 2006, I'VE BEEN FIXING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (ALL KINDS OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES), AND IT NEVER ENDS. RECENTLY, I'VE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS PEDAL, IT GOT STUCK AND I HIT A WALL IN THE GARAGE PARKING, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID SINCE THIS IS NOT A PART OF THE RECA…
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I HAVE A TOYOTA SOLARA 2002, AND SINCE I OWNED IT BACK IN 2006, I'VE BEEN FIXING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (ALL KINDS OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES), AND IT NEVER ENDS. RECENTLY, I'VE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS PEDAL, IT GOT STUCK AND I HIT A WALL IN THE GARAGE PARKING, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID SINCE THIS IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALLS, THEY WON'T FIX IT, AND THEY WON'T EVEN CHECK IT. PLEASE HAVE 2002 CAMRYS AND SOLARAS INVESTIGATED, I BELIEVE THEY HAVE A LOT OF SAFETY ISSUES AS WELL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10304259
119,732 miles · Oct 20, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE FLOOR-MATS ARE SHIFTING UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE MATS WERE EXCHANGED TWICE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND A TECHNICIAN ADVISED HER TO REMOVE THE DRIVER-SIDE FLOOR-MAT. HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOYOTA FLOOR-MAT RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,732.
NHTSA ODI #10289099
14,000 miles · Sep 14, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY ALTHOUGH THE CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB AND CAME WITHIN 6 INCHES OF A STOREFRONT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND INSPECTED BY A REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE. THE REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRON…
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WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY ALTHOUGH THE CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB AND CAME WITHIN 6 INCHES OF A STOREFRONT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND INSPECTED BY A REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE. THE REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10089355
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2004
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE JUMPED INTO GEAR WHEN DRIVING .THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *LA *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10081859
16,966 miles · Apr 20, 2004
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, AND IT LANDED ON THE HOOD OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT APPLYING THE BRAKES DIDN'T HELP STOP THE VEHICLE. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10063295
NHTSA investigations
3DP06003 · Engine Surging
Opened Sep 14, 2006 · Closed Apr 3, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
THE PETITIONER OWNS A MY 2006 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH A 4-CYLINDER ENGINE THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JANUARY 2006. THE PETITIONER ALSO PREVIOUSLY OWNED A MY 2005 CAMRY. HE ALLEGES THAT BOTH VEHICLES EXHIBITED VEHICLE ENGINE SURGING, WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS A SHORT DURATION (1 TO 2 SECOND) INCREASE IN ENGINE SPEED OCCURRING WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS NOT DEPRESSED. IN AN INITIAL INTERVIEW, THE PETITIONER ESTIMATED THAT 6 TO 8 SURGE INCIDENTS, OF VARYING SEVERITY, OCCURRED IN THE MY 2006 VEHICLE OVER THE COURSE OF 10,000 MILES AND 7 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. THE PETITIONER REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS EFFECTIVE AT OVERCOMING THE SURGE. HOWEVER, HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT REPORTS FILED WITH NHTSA ALLEGING UNCONTROLLEDSURGING IN MY 2002 TO 2006 CAMRY VEHICLES BRINGING THOSE VEHICLES TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED (IN SOME CASES, PURPORTEDLY, WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED).AFTER REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF THE AVAILABLE INFORMATION, ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED A VEHICLE-BASED DEFECT THAT WOULD HAVE PRODUCED THE ALLEGED ENGINE SURGE IN THE PETITIONER?S VEHICLE, NOR WAS IT ABLE TO WITNESS SUCH AN EVENT WHEN ROAD TESTING THE PETITIONER?S VEHICLE.EVALUATION OF A SUSPECT THROTTLE ACTUATOR REMOVED FROM THE PETITIONER?S VEHICLE DID NOT REVEAL A COMPONENT PROBLEM. WARRANTY AND PARTS SALES OF THE ACTUATOR ARE UNREMARKABLE.THESE DATA DO NOT SUPPORT THE EXISTENCE OF A WIDE-SPREAD DEFECT OR ONGOING CONCERN. THE FAULT DETECTION AND REACTION STRATEGY DESCRIBED IN TOYOTA?S TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS INDICATES THAT A LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL DUE TO A COMPONENT OR SYSTEM FAILURE WOULD BE DETECTED WITHIN A ONE SECOND PERIODAFTER WHICH ENGINE POWER WOULD BE LIMITED. THE PETITIONER?S MY 2006 VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM OVERCOMES FULL ENGINE POWER AT EASILY ACHIEVABLE BRAKE PEDAL FORCES. BASED ON THE ANALYSIS CONDUCTED, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.CONSEQUENTLY, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.PLEASE SEE THE MARCH 9, 2007 FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
THE PETITIONER OWNS A MY 2006 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH A 4-CYLINDER ENGINE THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JANUARY 2006. THE PETITIONER ALSO PREVIOUSLY OWNED A MY 2005 CAMRY. HE ALLEGES THAT BOTH VEHICLES EXHIBITED VEHICLE ENGINE SURGING, WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS A SHORT DURATION (1 TO 2 SECOND) INCREASE IN ENGINE SPEED OCCURRING WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS NOT DEPRESSED. IN AN INITIAL INTERVIEW, THE PETITIONER ESTIMATED THAT 6 TO 8 SURGE INCIDENTS, OF VARYING SEVERITY, OCCURRED IN THE MY 2006 VEHICLE OVER THE COURSE OF 10,000 MILES AND 7 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. THE PETITIONER REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS EFFECTIVE AT OVERCOMING THE SURGE. HOWEVER, HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT REPORTS FILED WITH NHTSA ALLEGING UNCONTROLLEDSURGING IN MY 2002 TO 2006 CAMRY VEHICLES BRINGING THOSE VEHICLES TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED (IN SOME CASES, PURPORTEDLY, WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED).AFTER REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF THE AVAILABLE INFORMATION, ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED A VEHICLE-BASED DEFECT THAT WOULD HAVE PRODUCED THE ALLEGED ENGINE SURGE IN THE PETITIONER?S VEHICLE, NOR WAS IT ABLE TO WITNESS SUCH AN EVENT WHEN ROAD TESTING THE PETITIONER?S VEHICLE.EVALUATION OF A SUSPECT THROTTLE ACTUATOR REMOVED FROM THE PETITIONER?S VEHICLE DID NOT REVEAL A COMPONENT PROBLEM. WARRANTY AND PARTS SALES OF THE ACTUATOR ARE UNREMARKABLE.THESE DATA DO NOT SUPPORT THE EXISTENCE OF A WIDE-SPREAD DEFECT OR ONGOING CONCERN. THE FAULT DETECTION AND REACTION STRATEGY DESCRIBED IN TOYOTA?S TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS INDICATES THAT A LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL DUE TO A COMPONENT OR SYSTEM FAILURE WOULD BE DETECTED WITHIN A ONE SECOND PERIODAFTER WHICH ENGINE POWER WOULD BE LIMITED. THE PETITIONER?S MY 2006 VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM OVERCOMES FULL ENGINE POWER AT EASILY ACHIEVABLE BRAKE PEDAL FORCES. BASED ON THE ANALYSIS CONDUCTED, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.CONSEQUENTLY, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.PLEASE SEE THE MARCH 9, 2007 FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
Vehicle Speed Control
THE PETITIONER OWNS A MY 2006 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH A 4-CYLINDER ENGINE THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JANUARY 2006. THE PETITIONER ALSO PREVIOUSLY OWNED A MY 2005 CAMRY. HE ALLEGES THAT BOTH VEHICLES EXHIBITED VEHICLE ENGINE SURGING, WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS A SHORT DURATION (1 TO 2 SECOND) INCREASE IN ENGINE SPEED OCCURRING WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS NOT DEPRESSED. IN AN INITIAL INTERVIEW, THE PETITIONER ESTIMATED THAT 6 TO 8 SURGE INCIDENTS, OF VARYING SEVERITY, OCCURRED IN THE MY 2006 VEHICLE OVER THE COURSE OF 10,000 MILES AND 7 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. THE PETITIONER REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS EFFECTIVE AT OVERCOMING THE SURGE. HOWEVER, HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT REPORTS FILED WITH NHTSA ALLEGING UNCONTROLLEDSURGING IN MY 2002 TO 2006 CAMRY VEHICLES BRINGING THOSE VEHICLES TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED (IN SOME CASES, PURPORTEDLY, WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED).AFTER REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF THE AVAILABLE INFORMATION, ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED A VEHICLE-BASED DEFECT THAT WOULD HAVE PRODUCED THE ALLEGED ENGINE SURGE IN THE PETITIONER?S VEHICLE, NOR WAS IT ABLE TO WITNESS SUCH AN EVENT WHEN ROAD TESTING THE PETITIONER?S VEHICLE.EVALUATION OF A SUSPECT THROTTLE ACTUATOR REMOVED FROM THE PETITIONER?S VEHICLE DID NOT REVEAL A COMPONENT PROBLEM. WARRANTY AND PARTS SALES OF THE ACTUATOR ARE UNREMARKABLE.THESE DATA DO NOT SUPPORT THE EXISTENCE OF A WIDE-SPREAD DEFECT OR ONGOING CONCERN. THE FAULT DETECTION AND REACTION STRATEGY DESCRIBED IN TOYOTA?S TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS INDICATES THAT A LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL DUE TO A COMPONENT OR SYSTEM FAILURE WOULD BE DETECTED WITHIN A ONE SECOND PERIODAFTER WHICH ENGINE POWER WOULD BE LIMITED. THE PETITIONER?S MY 2006 VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM OVERCOMES FULL ENGINE POWER AT EASILY ACHIEVABLE BRAKE PEDAL FORCES. BASED ON THE ANALYSIS CONDUCTED, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.CONSEQUENTLY, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.PLEASE SEE THE MARCH 9, 2007 FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
DP05002 · Vehicle Speed Control
Opened Aug 5, 2005 · Closed Jan 5, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
IN A LETTER DATED JULY 8, 2005, AND AFTER EXPERIENCING TWO INCIDENTS (AND ONE CRASH) WHERE HE ALLEGES HIS MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002 CAMRY ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT, MR. JORDAN ZIPRIN PETITIONED THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION?S (NHTSA) OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) TO COMMENCE A PROCEEDING TO DETERMINE THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT WITHIN THE ETC SYSTEM IN MY 2002 TO 2005 TOYOTA AND LEXUS VEHICLES, OR TO REOPEN A PRIOR INVESTIGATION PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE) 04-021.IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 18, 2005, MR. ZIPRIN AMENDED HIS PETITION TO INCLUDE ALLEGATIONS OF INTERRELATED BRAKE AND ACCELERATION PROBLEMS THAT ALLEGEDLY RESULT IN INAPPROPRIATE AND UNCONTROLLABLE VEHICLE ACCELERATIONS.THE 1172 VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE REPORTS CITED BY THE PETITIONER INVOLVE 4 LEXUS AND 15 TOYOTA MODELS DEFINING A POPULATION OF 7 MILLION VEHICLES.THE REPORTS TYPICALLY ALLEGED A DEFECT IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM, THE THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM, OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH SYSTEMS.IN ITS REVIEW OF THE REPORTS, ODI A) FAILED TO FIND EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE EXISTENCE OF A BRAKE RELATED DEFECT IN THE CITED MODELS, AND B) DETERMINED THAT MANY CITED PRODUCTS WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH ETC.ACCORDINGLY, ODI RESTRICTED ITS ANALYSIS TO THE 432 PETITIONER REPORTS INVOLVING MY 2002 TO 2005 CAMRY, SOLARA, AND ES MODELS (ALL EQUIPPED WITH ETC) THAT ALLEGED AN ABNORMAL THROTTLE CONTROL EVENT (SEE THE JANUARY 3, 2006 FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE FOR FURTHER DETAILS).ABOUT 40% OF THE 432 REPORTS INVOLVE A DRIVEABILITY CONCERN WHERE THE OPERATOR INTENTIONALLY APPLIES THE THROTTLE PEDAL, IN EXPECTATION THAT THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE, AND THEN EXPERIENCES A DELAY OR HESITATION IN VEHICLE RESPONSE.THESE REPORTS INVOLVE VEHICLE RESPONSE TO INTENTIONAL DRIVER COMMANDS WHICH ODI CONSIDERS UNRELATED TO THE ALLEGATIONS RAISED BY THE PETITIONER.THEREFORE, THE REPORTS DO NOT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED.ABOUT 20% OF THE REPORTS INVOLVE INCIDENTS WHERE OPERATORS ALLEGE VEHICLE ACCELERATION WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT AND AN INABILITY OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHEN APPLIED.NEITHER THE REPORTS, NOR THE INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED BY ODI, IDENTIFIED ANY VEHICLE-BASED CAUSE TO EXPLAIN THE INCIDENTS OR DISCLOSED EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THAT A FAILURE OF THE BRAKE OR THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM HAD OCCURRED.BECAUSE THESE REPORTS DO NOT INDICATE A DISTINCT SAFETY DEFECT FOR INVESTIGATION, THE REPORTS DO NOT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED BY THE PETITIONERTHE REMAINING REPORTS (~ 40%, SIMILAR TO THE PETITIONER?S AND THOSE OF PE04-021) TYPICALLY DESCRIBE INCIDENTS WHERE A VEHICLE IS BEING MANEUVERED AT SLOW SPEED IN A CLOSE QUARTER SITUATION AT WHICH POINT THE OPERATOR ALLEGES THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT AND CRASHES.IN THE AFTERMATH, OPERATORS ARE UNSURE OF WHETHER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED OR NOT, SOMETIMES STATING THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT TIME TO USE THE BRAKE; A CRASH OCCURRED AND THE OPERATOR BELIEVES AN UNCOMMANDED ACCELERATION CAUSED IT.IN SPITE OF THE EFFORT EXPENDED DURING PE04-021 AND DURING THIS ANALYSIS, ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED ANY VEHICLE-BASED CAUSE TO EXPLAIN THE REPORTS, OR UNCOVERED ANY EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THAT A THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE OCCURRED.THEREFORE, THE REPORTS HAVE AMBIGUOUS SIGNIFICANCE AND DO NOT CONSTITUTE A BASIS ON WHICH ANY FURTHER INVESTIGATIVE ACTION IS WARRANTED.BASED ON THE ANALYSIS CONDUCTED, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.CONSEQUENTLY, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES T
PE04021 · Throttle Control System
Opened Mar 3, 2004 · Closed Jul 22, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
THE LEXUS MODELS WERE THE SUBJECT OF DEFECT PETITION (DP) 04-003.TWELVE ODI COMPLAINTS ARE DUPLICATIVE TO TOYOTA REPORTS, INCLUDING THE TWO MINOR CRASHES.THE V6 EQUIPPED SOLARA MODELS HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED BECAUSE THEY DO NOT CONTAIN THE SUBJECT THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM.TOYOTA INTRODUCED ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BEGINNING IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002.ODI OPENED THE INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE IF THE SYSTEM COULD BE THE CAUSE OF COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASED, OR FAILED TO DECREASE, (FOR A SHORT DURATION) WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED (THE ALLEGED DEFECT).DURING THE COURSE OF THE INVESTIGATION, ODI ANALYZED AGENCY DATA AND REVIEWED VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE (VOQ) REPORTS, CONDUCTED INTERVIEWS INVOLVING 113 VOQ AND 36 TOYOTA REPORTS, INSPECTED TWO COMPLAINANT VEHICLES, REVIEWED RELEVANT TOYOTA SERVICE AND NEW CAR FEATURE DOCUMENTATION, REVIEWED AND ANALYZED TOYOTA?S RESPONSES TO ODI?S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER, CONDUCTED A LIMITED CONTROL PEDAL ASSESSMENT, AND ATTENDED A TOYOTA TECHNICAL PRESENTATION THAT INCLUDED THE ASSESSMENT OF TWO DEMONSTRATION VEHICLES.THROUGH INTERVIEWS, ODI IDENTIFIED 14 VOQ AND 6 TOYOTA REPORTS (20 UNIQUE VEHICLES) WHERE COMPLAINANTS REPORT MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.IN SOME CASES THE CONDITION WAS EXPERIENCED BY DIFFERENT VEHICLE OPERATORS OR WAS WITNESSED BY OTHER OCCUPANTS.ODI WAS UNABLE TO MAKE A DETERMINATION AS TO THE CAUSE OF 9 TOYOTA AND AN ADDITIONAL 37 VOQ REPORTS (WHICH DESCRIBE 28 UNIQUE INCIDENTS) DUE TO INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION.THE REMAINING COMPLAINANTS INTERVIEWED (62 VOQ, 21 TOYOTA) DESCRIBED CONDITIONS NOT CAUSED BY A FAILURE OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM AND WERE THUS CONSIDERED UNRELATED TO THE INVESTIGATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS INTERVIEWED REPORTED A COMPONENT FAILURE (OR OTHER INDICATOR OF A SYSTEM FAILURE) AS THE POTENTIAL CAUSE OF INCIDENTS RELEVANT TO THIS INVESTIGATION.IN MANY CASES, THE COMPLAINT VEHICLES WERE SUBSEQUENTLY INSPECTED BY DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVES WHO ALSO FAILED TO IDENTIFY A FAULT WITHIN THE VEHICLE.TOYOTA IDENTIFIED 43 RELATED WARRANTY CLAIMS, 24 OF WHICH WERE FOR DIAGNOSTIC PURPOSES ONLY (NO REPAIRS PERFORMED).ODI FOUND NOTHING ABNORMAL IN THE CONTROL PEDAL CONFIGURATION OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.A DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE THE ATTACHED SUMMARY FOR FURTHER DETAIL.
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